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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue
#24 June 20, 2018
Publisher: Judith Briles


Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

1.  It’s summertime … are you dealing with Author Fatigue Syndrome?

2.  Get The AuthorYOU Extravaganza is Coming! Early Bird ends in June AND you can win your spot!

3.  Another great tool that is a no-brainer …

4.  Hot podcasts for the month coming …

5.  Webinars slated for June and July …

6.  Question of the Week …

     7. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week …



This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof:


Hello and Good Publishing Day to all of you.
This week has all been about getting ready for my annual Judith Briles Unplugged Book Publishing Boot Camp and then rolling it out TOMORROW here in Denver. I love the energy, and variety of authors that I get to work with. In addition, the magic eye of Ashlee Bratton will be there to take photos of attendees for their portfolios; Rebecca Finkle will add her magic touch to ideas for covers and interior designs, and Kelly Johnson will add her segment on new tools for authors to use.

What I love about it is that I keep it small—no more than 40 attendees—all get any questions asked and answered and hands-on demos of HOW to do things that move forward. As always, I have tips and strategies to move any other ahead in their gameplans. How cool is that?

Print media has been a challenge for many. If in Metro-Denver area of Colorado, most get more pleasure my banging their heads on the wall when trying to connect/contact the DENVER POST and DAILY CAMERA, a new "kid on the block" is coming. the DENVER SUN is readying for a launch as early as next month. Colorado Public Radio shared the news. Former POST staffers are the backbone of this new team. The startup was funded with tech money.  http://www.cpr.org/news/story/the-colorado-sun-to-launch-with-former-denver-post-a-team-stars-and-tech-cash

MEET me when I’m on the road. I’m looking forward to traveling this year to work with Texan authors at the July 27-29 event in Dallas, TX; authors from Colorado and multiple states in Breckenridge, CO August 23-26;  Michagan authors at the Booktoberfest in Dexter, MI on September 8; Alaskan authors in Anchorage, AK September 20-22; and Florida authors in Altamonte Springs, Florida October 18-20.

MEET the Staff … Many of you know Bobby Crew—he’s been with me three years now. He’s busy work on the Unplugged events, handling members’ questions AND getting ready for the annual Extravaganza PLUS, getting ready to publish his first book. In his words:
Hello, I’m Bobby Crew, and after working at AuthorYOU for three years, I’m finally getting ready to launch my first book, "Dining with Devils." If you love horror, visit TheHorrorCrew.com to check out some of my free horror stories. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you on the Publishing at Sea Cruise, as well as at the AuthorYOU Extravaganza in September. I always love meeting and networking with other authors. The sense of comradery in the AuthorYOU circle has been an inspiration to me and helps keep me motivated.
This spring, Laura Ruzicka joined The Book Shepherd’s team as our Intern through the fall. She’s a student at Metropolitan State University here in Colorado. Her goal is to become an editor. In her words:

Hello I’m Laura Ruzicka, the new intern, and having only been with AuthorYOU for a short period of time, I’m already further developing the editing and writing skills that I’ve acquired to become an editor in the distant future.  I cannot wait for the AuthorYOU Extravaganza as I love to meet new people and let my curiosity roam free learning new things by the minute.  I look forward to meeting all the new faces I have yet to encounter!  Maybe I’ll get to work on some of your books one day!



Leah Dasalla has been with me for five years as my Virtual Assistant and resides in the Philippines. Initially, her hours were all night on her side of the world so she could be with me during my day hours. We shifted to a split format this year so she could normalize her life with her growing family. She handles all my social media; gets all my postings and Eblasts out; and is a master of creating all the posters I have. In her words:
Hello, I’m Leah Dasalla… I have been working for AuthorYOU and The Book Shepherd as a Virtual Assistant for 5 years now and working with The Founder of AuthorYOU and The Book Shepherd itself Judith Briles is always fun, challenging and I have learned so much from her from new tools to tips and tricks about publishing and being an author. She has also given me the flexible time to be able to take care of my kid (how awesome is that!?).

Looking forward to more years on working for AuthorYOU and The Book Shepherd... So honored.

 
Are you in Colorado on July 21? Come to our annual BBQ. It will be help in the afternoon at CADA—the Colorado Automotive Dealers Associations facilities with terrific schmoozing rounds; fire pit for toasting marshmallows and just a fun and relaxing afternoon. All you bring is yourself—family members welcome.


Details are posted under Events on the website.
https://authoru.org/event/its-the-annual-author-bbq?instance_id=1423


You can pick my brain … minimum time is 30 minutes.


If you need one-on-one-time with me, I’m always open for a few minutes to give you some quick input. But, and it’s a BIG BUT, many call and expect far more than a few minutes. This is called a "consult" and I would be delighted to schedule time with you for "just you and your many questions" that need answers. You can book time with me it at:
https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain

My newest book will start its rolling out this month … reviews are starting to post. How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech. Amazon has ordered additional copies—get your copy here. I promise—it will increase your book sales. Get it here: http://bit.ly/1000000speech.

Author Friendly Friday this week …

9 Eastern time and again at 2 pm ET. It’s a full hour when you can ask questions—any question. Starting now, it’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Skype. I loved the comment last week when one of my participants said that she really liked doing it this way—when I see others at events—the Extravaganza—we are already friends. I like it too!
Here’s the link to take advantage of it and subscribe: https://thebookshepherd.com/product/author-friendly-fridays-subscription

And, what, there’s more. We have all new webinars set up through June and planning July. This month covers LinkedIn on June 12 and How to Create a 7-Figure Income via the FIVE steps to persuasion on June 19. Details below.



AND … How’s your week going?


 
1

It’s Summertime … Are You Feeling a Bit of Author Fatigue Syndrome?

Yep, I get it. You want to chill out. Me too. Time off. It might be overdue. You’ve been grinding away at promoting your book … or just trying to GET IT DONE. I do so get it. Soooo … I’m going to suggest you take a bit of a breather … for a few days … a week or two. Then, come back swinging. We all need some time out.

For me, I have different methods of timing out. Many of you know that I love gardening and cooking. A few hours in either direction, and I get grounded, re-rooted, and I’m ready to tackle what I was side-stepping. Other times, I hit the high seas and get on a cruise. A few days of sun and chilling out, refocusing becomes my norm. 


Wouldn’t you love to be able to pick up a pen/pencil or open a blank document on your computer and breeze through the article or chapter you are thinking about … basically having it completed within a short period of time? Or how about structuring the marketing program you’ve been thinking about for the past six months, but somehow summer got in the way? Your desk is clear—calendar open and there are no hiccups or obstacles to block your creative waves … yet … yet, it’s just not flowing.

You just may have Author Fatigue Syndrome! The brain cells have taken a hiatus. You are pooped and a cruise is sounding mighty fine right now! If you are feeling a tad overwhelmed … or just plain blocked on going forward, try these tips to get you back on track:

1. Take a piece of paper and divide it into four sections. In the upper left, label it ASAP—those are the items you need, really need to deal with. In the upper right, put 7 Days—these items you have to address within the next seven days—the order of importance is not relevant. In the lower left, write 30 Days—these are the items/events you need to tackle within the next month. The last column should be labeled Future. There’s no rush in dealing with any items in that list.

Now, go back to the first ASAP section—those items that need your immediate attention. One option is to cross one or several off the list with a decision that they can’t be dealt with and are in the wrong box. Items in the 30 Days box are to be ignored for now, as are those the Future and 7 Days. You are dealing with ASAP. Stay focused—it’s so much easier to acknowledge that you can’t deal/do something in the here and now but can address it next week … then let next week arrive. Meanwhile, the ASAP list gets whittled down.

2. Review what you’ve already created/done. Sometimes just a review will create the goose that can lay your golden egg. That idea that got buried may be stimulated; the scribbly notes you made all of a sudden make sense; or the original idea you had may take on a whole new dimension because you’ve let it sit in a form of stew for awhile.

3. It’s gaze in the belly button time.
What’s up? Any thoughts on why you’ve been stuck or chosen not to go forward with your article, book, work … what? Acknowledge issues preventing you from moving forward. Maybe you don’t love the topic or subject any longer. Maybe there’s been breaking news or a morphing in the field that has altered your views. Maybe the hero of your story is really a dud. No matter what, look in the mirror and have a chat with yourself. One of my favorite Keepers is—Don’t do well what you have no business doing. If your work involves pulling teeth … your own … stop it.  It’s not fun any longer.


4. Review your goals and game plan. Did you ever have any? That’s part of the gaze in the belly button time. Good idea to start here. Goal setting can get you back in the frame of mind that you initially had when you started your authoring venture. If you didn’t do it, stop and do it now. I can get blue in the face, reminding you that you’ve got have the Vision for what you are doing coupled with the Passion for the project and the Commitment to see it through. When you do run into a hiccup, you’ve set up the game plan that got you started in the first place. Then it’s much easier to cross over the hurdles that pop up.

5. Plan a reward for yourself. I’m the first to admit—I’ve been known to start here. Okay … if I finish this chapter, I get an entire bag of M & Ms—a big one … and I’ve done that (you’ve heard of "baby fat"? This is "book fat"! If I finish this book … I get an entire month off of reading any business books and I get to read trashy novels—murder mysteries and action thrillers for 30 days in a row. Try lines like this:

· When I finish this, I’m booking a cruise to a warm place ...

· When the first draft is done, I’m going skiing ...

· When this section is sent to the editor, I’m watching all the Oscar®
winners.

· When I complete this article, I’m … you get the picture.

Rewards and incentives work. Everyone has different ones that they march to. Find yours. Write them down. And honor them. Just having something you want—even a trivial Snickers (only one!) or a night of watching reruns of a TV favorite or binging on a show that you’ve saved and just haven’t had the time to watch qualifies—it may just be the perk you need to get you back on track or celebrate a job well-done.

6. Escape to the familiar or unfamiliar … just escape. I’ve even had to step in and doing massive re-writes on nonfiction topics, ghosting a great deal of the book—but the initial idea was generated from the author.

And I don’t have the gift of the novelist. Oh, I work with authors who wear the fiction hat—tweaking their words and getting the storylines to flow. I dearly love a great story; yet I don’t have the gift of the creative gene that seeds the fiction writer’s journey—that sometimes wild-ass idea that delivers magic to the eyes of the reader.

What I do know is that when I’m stuck and I pick up something else, leaving my "get this finished" work alone for a day or two, it’s amazing how my own creative juices can salivate with ideas that get kick-started with something totally unrelated. Kind of like take a shower and all of a sudden the "aha" drops in as the hot water pounds on your shoulders.

The something else can be fiction … it can be non-fiction … it can be related to your specific genre. The trick is to let another voice come in … think of it as a muse swirling around you … waiting to be invited into your mind and expressed through your fingertips.

7. Know what your ideal writing environment is.I’m always amused when I listen to an interview with an author who proclaims that getting up at four every morning and writing for four straight hours is the way to be a successful author. Really? It sure isn’t mine. Not that I’m not averse to getting up if that’s what my body is saying to do … what I rebel against is someone else telling me how I should write—the time frames, the place, the anything. Coffee bars aren’t my thing either—although I have many clients who thrive in that atmosphere—and I encourage them to go there ... often.

I’m a binge writer—have always been; most likely, it seems to be my MO. I spend days, weeks, even months whirling ideas around in my head; gathering tidbits of info that I’ve dropped into a "just in case" file or an expandable file that is actually chapters to be that will be in the "book."  When I move into my writing mode—it’s fast, furious and usually on target. I can bang out a first draft of a book in a short period of time. Recently, the entire first draft of my latest book, How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech, was done in a seven day, 15 hours daily non-interrupted week on a cruise ship. Before I departed the ship on the eight days, all files were emailed to my editor for the first round. Check DONE. And I started on a novel I had saved for the flight home. The reward.

When I’m on my home/office territory, no one … and I mean no one … is allowed in my private office space when I move into that frame—it’s as if there is a yellow crime scene tape across the French doors to my space. Music is on in the background … my "reward" is close by and the fingers are ready. When I come out to take a health break or to refill my preferred beverage of tea, I check in with staff if my input is needed anywhere—otherwise, I’m viewed as "out of sight, out of mind" to all.

Authors have habits … find the ones that work for you, not someone else. Tell those who come into your space your "rules," your "habits"—and that include kids, family members, and friends. Too many times, when you are at work, you may be the only one that understands that. Education is in order. The Author Fatigue Syndrome is in the shadows. The journey to and through authordom is long and loaded with detours and hiccups. And that’s just creating the book. The book marketing journey that you will go on to support the book has even more. Take care of yourself. Take care of your book. And do think about that cruise!


2   The AuthorYOU Extravaganza is Coming! Do you want to WIN Your Spot? You can ….
Early bird ends on June 30th
Hear Ye … Hear Ye … Hear Ye … awesome author Lisa Reinicke is sponsoring ONE lucky attendee who registers for the AuthorYOU Extravaganza between now and June 30th—that's when the early bird ends. Get registered NOW—500 bucks are 500 bucks and why shouldn’t YOU be the lucky (and I do mean lucky) recipient?

ALL Extravaganza entries between NOW and the 30th will be put in the magic random drawing basket. Someone gets a totally free pass.


And I love this … one of our final sessions on Saturday is a hands-on workshop where everyone will actually create a TipGraphic under the guidance of John Kremer and Daniel Hall and publish it on Saturday, August 25. A fabulous, easy peasy way to promo you, your expertise, and of course your book.

In just 66 Days

Get ready for all-new Author YOU Extravaganza in 2018. Get ready for Education—the deep dive type. Get ready for entertainment— laughing is the perfect way to end a jammed-packed day of information. Get ready to meet the Who-Who’s in Publishing Service Providers in our Exhibit Hall—your village to create an awesome book, publicity campaign, uncovering sponsors, promotion and much more. And get ready to change your book and authoring life
Here’s the Opening Line-up starting August 23rd:


Starting with a pre-Author YOU Extravaganza VIP Advanced Book Marketing Breakthrough Intensive on Thursday afternoon starting at 1.00 p.m. on August 23rd with:


Followed by the first Author YOU Book Pitch Fest sponsored by
Thomson Shore. Open to the public, 15 authors with manuscripts
at least 75% completed can pitch their books to five publishing pros.
ONE WINNER will walk away with a publishing bonanza package:
editing, cover design, interior design, and printing. Value: Priceless

Followed by the Grand Opening in the evening … meet our fabulous
Exhibitors up front and in person. They’ve got the smarts, experience and
d tools to make your book shine. And they are available to you through
h Saturday.

As you meet and greet, why not eat? Yes, indeed …
we will have dinner Friday in the Exhibit area …

Get ready to laugh the night away with our entertainment
with entertainer Chris Voth … it’s a perfect way to spend a
long day that has been packed with publishing info.

Meet the talented and fun Chris Voth:
An accomplished comedian, Chris Voth is
a licensed teacher, and a published author. He has made several national television appearances, including the Late Late Show, Last Comic Standing, and Comics Unleashed. He also appeared in his own half-hour special on Altitude Sports Cable and was chosen for the prestigious Great American Comedy Festival. A 17-year comedy veteran, Chris is a past winner of the Denver Comedy Works Competition and has worked with everyone from
Dave Chappelle to Larry the Cable Guy to Linda Ronstadt.

The Question is: will you?
Register—early bird ends on June 30
http://authoryouextravaganza.org/



3
More Great Tools
Goose up your visual marketing. Create a visual "grab" for like fans of competing books or complimentary authors.

Lines to use include … If you like ______; you will LOVE _____. If you are a fan of ______; you will want _______ …. Or a variation that fits you.


Daniel Hall is a friend; a prolific producer of info products and author of a book I recommend. This is what I did:
 
4
Hot podcasts slated for May - August
In JUNE
· Advanced Strategies on LinkedIn-pre webinar with Mike O'Neil
· How to Create a 7-Figure Income with Tom Antion
· The Business of Being an Author with Jane Friedman

· How to Write a Book Really Fast with Dan Janal

In JULY
· How to Get Associations to Hire Speakers with Ed Rigsby  
· Publicity How-tos from a 70-Year Pro with Irwin Zucker
· Pitching You and Your Book with Joan Stewart
· What the Hell is Amazon Doing? with Amy Collins


In AUGUST
· How to Propel Your Book Launch with Kimberley Grabas
· Discovering the Anatomy of Fiction Writing with Barb Wilson
· Discover the Latest Strategies for Advanced Book Marketing with John Kremer
· Insider Tips on How to Market Author as Speaker to Meeting Planners with Tonya Hoffman
· Are You Branding You … Really? with Kathy Meis

In SEPTEMBER

· Revising and Repurposing What You’ve Already Done with Anne Janzer 


Here’s the master link for iTunes: http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast

And, if you have listened, support our podcast and post a review. Thank you!


5
More Webinars are coming … more Webinars are coming


 
JULY 18: 4 PT, 5 MT, 6 CT, 7 ET p.m.

How to Create a Caviar Audiobook on a Tuna Fish Budget

Did you know that audiobook sales revenue is up 32% so far for the year 2018? Do you have an audiobook to take advantage of this growing market?
Don't miss this opportunity to join the Audiobook Revolution!


REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6320070193348322562

Find out:

  • What's brand new in the audiobook world
  • The new audiobook creation competition for Amazon and Audible
  • How to independently publish your audiobook yourself or with help
  • How authors can make more from their audiobooks than their eBooks
  • The key steps to set your audiobook up for success
  • Planning your next audiobook (key decisions)

You can have an audiobook version of your book created (with help!) for hundreds, not thousands, of dollars. Here's how!

REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6320070193348322562

YES, there will be a REPLAY. Please register to make sure you get it if you can’t attend live. Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2018. Time: 4T, 5 MT, 6 CT, 7 ET


June 19th

The replay is ready right now and I suggest you jump on it immediately because the info Tom presented can increase your business dramatically and quickly. I loved, LOVED the idea he rolled out on making big bucks with PDFs. Immediately, I called out live to three individuals who were attendees ideas that they could do—like in tomorrow—to create a fast, no-brainer, easy-peasy push out to their fans and email contacts. I’ll bet when you hear them on the replay, you will also say, "Hey, me too."


And the magic website to pick up all the elements he revealed is: www.Copywriting901.com

Go for it …



June 12th

Authordom and LinkedIN Are a Dynamic Duo - Essential Tips for Authors on How to Use LinkedIn for Positioning, Expertise, Marketing


An information only webinar—there were no offers involved. Time involved is one hour.
Here’s the replay:

Mike O’Neil shared a variety of tips using the LinkedIn platform. This is an informational only webinar over the 60 minutes.

With using the right words, phrases and know your target market (an industry is an amazing lead generation tool for authors, publishers, illustrators, marketers, event hosts, editors - they are ALL on LinkedIn.

You will learn about:


· Find your top targets LinkedIn and connect with them.

· Engage them and create relationships that turn into to revenue.

· Implement a campaign process, automate, manage it all.

· Create a "gift" strategy for your book—companies do give-aways year round—why not your book as "the gift"?

· What the Sales Navigator is and how to use it.


Here’s the replay:   https://vimeo.com/274931831


May 31 Replay


I know you are busy and I don’t want you to be left out-the library webinar we did last week was excellent.

Did you know that library buying is up—way UP? Over 70% of the U.S. population uses libraries every month. In the area I live in—Denver, Colorado, libraries have a $9,000,000 budget for new books, ebooks, audiobooks. Wherever you live, your community has a budget as well. How cool is that!

THIS WAS SO HOT:
even if your book is not ready yet–maybe the end of the year or early next year—jump in. You will be "grandfathered" at the reduced rate (guaranteed, the price will increase significantly the next go around).

"Left Out" means the awesome PITCH TO 8,000 LIBRARIES for only $399 disappear soon … you, of course, can get it for $399 until Amy Collins and I pull it. As always, it’s a choice. I’m doing it … I want my audio, eBooks and print books to be reintroduced to 8,000 libraries, just like you do.


Reminder … here’s what you get:
· Get your book in front of 8,000 libraries around the country who have requested information about books to acquire.
· Your cost is 5 cents per library pitch.
· A full-color listing designed and laid out showcasing your book.
· Having someone (that means not you) do the follow-up to determine if there is interest in acquiring your book for the library.
· A detailed report after the mailing and follow-up calls that includes the number of librarians who actually clicked on the order button for your book.

Here's the link for the REPLAY. Don’t miss out on this one … there were 12 slots available for the JULY mailing—several were taken during the live presentation last night:


                                     https://vimeo.com/272930535

NEXT, here’s click on the link to participate:


                                  http://newshelves.com/authoru
 
6
Questions of the Week:



Question:
Will the self-publishing and indie publishing markets for authors survive?

My answer: Does it get cold in Alaska? You bet it will. In fact, it’s thriving. Per the latest data from AuthorEarnings.com and the BISG.org, the non-traditional publishers—meaning the indie, small press and self-published market has created a substantial hit for the Big 5—the major publishers. The latest data for 2018 shows that it creates 52% of all eBook sales, generating 40% of all eBook revenues. And how about this stat: 56% of the best sellers come from this side of the publishing tracks.


It’s a good thing.


7
Book Shepherd "Fun" or an "Uh-Oh"of the Week
Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Sometimes it’s a "tell me it isn’t so…" This is one of them: think one out of four as you watch this short video—a "Uh-Oh":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJdNrCeUdhc

That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?


About Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd

Book Publishing expert Judith Briles, aka The Book Shepherd
has shepherded more than 1,000 authors and created 500 best-sellers and award-winning books. She knows publishing inside and out from both the traditional and independent sides. Judith is an advocate for authors within her blogs, podcasts and speaking engagements. What’s her pet peeve? Two words: publishing predators.

She hosts the podcast AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing that generates over 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.

The Book Shepherd
 
 
 
 


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